Improved coal-chute



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i i am wee-eteaew have invented a new and useful Improvement in Goal- Ato the mouth of the chute, so that when open it is on HENRY MERRIMAN, OF BLOOMINGTN, ILLINOIS.

Letters Pdtlmt No. 84,749,

dated December 8, 1Sb'8.

INIPROVED CQAL-CHTE.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern Be it known thatv I, HENRY MERRIMAN, of Bloomington, in the county of McLean, and State ot' Illinois,

Chute; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art so. make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis'spediiication.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in coal-chutes, used for loading :or discharging coal into boats, cars, or vehicles of any kind, whereby the operation of discharging coal is greatly facilitated.

The invention consists in constructing and operating a double self-sustaining and self-fastening apron, so arranged that the use of chains and pulleys is avoided, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying plate of ch'awings- Figure l represents a sectional side elevation ofthe coal-chute, showing the counter-weights attached to the apron, and the apron as closed, the section being through the line :c :c of tig. 2.

Figure 2 is a-front elevation, representing the outer portion of the apron as down, with the chute closed by the other portion.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents the chute-box, which is made in the ordinary form, as regards shape and size.

The inclined side-pieces ofthe frame marked B are extended at their lower ends, so as to support the outer portion oi' the apron.

The chute is closed by a double apron, or it may be said that there are two aprons, an outer and an inner one, acting in concert.

rlhe inner part is marked G, and the outer part, D. The front side of C is seen in g. 2. It is hinged the same plane with the bottom ofthe chute-box.

When it is closed, itis fastened at the top of the chute by the hooks marked e, which enter slots fin the top ends ofthe loose-sliding bars gg. These bars are attached to G bythe clasps marked l, which allow them to play freely up and down.

The hooks c are in the form of latch-catches, which raise the bars when they come in contact, so that the bars drop into the 'catch when the apron is closed, as seen in the drawing.

The bals g g extend down a little below the lower edge of the part C, as seen in fig. 1, so that the part D may operate on them, to raise them at the proper time.

H is a counter-weight, which is connected with the part C .by the rod or shank I.

The apron C is nearly balanced on its hinges by weight H.

The outer partv or apron D is attached to a shaft or rod, which has bearings at each end, supportedinsuitable boxes on the ends ofthe inclined side-timbers B, as before mentioned.

the

J is a counter-weight, connected with D by the d shank K, by which weight D is nearly balanced.

o o represent two cams on the upper surface and' back edge cf D, which are so placed as to operate on and raise the bars g g, when D is brought nearly down to its lowest position.

The act of raising the bars g g releases the apron C from the catches e, and the pressure of the coal in the chute will force it down, and with it the \part I), tc a position parallel with the bottom of the b`ox or chute.

When in operationN the chute is placed so as to load carts, wagons, cars, or tenders for locomotives, which Y The counter-weights are attached to their respective Shanks by set-screws, vso that they are adjustable thereon.

By this arra-n gement the delivery of coal into wagons,

carts, cars, or tenders, or on to boats, is greatly facilitated.

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The inner-weighted apron C, having the loose catchrods y, and pivoted at its lower edge to the chute, and the outer-weighted apron I), also pivoted at its lower edge, and provided with the lugs o o, all operating as described, whereby, as the outer apron is swung down to form a spout, the lugs o o release the rods g from the catches c, and permit the inner apron to open the chute for the discharge of coal, substantially as herein shown and described.

HENRY MERRIMAN. Witnesses: 1

J. O. PULLEN,

HENRY A. EWING. 

